Josephus

Joseph, son of Gorian, caled Flavius Josephus (NYPL Hades-255854-430875) (cropped)

Ancient Galilee

Nuremberg chronicles f 110r 3

Josephus flavius, english 1602

Von alten jüdischen Geschichten. Vom jüdischen Krieg

Josephus (37 – c. 100 AD), also known as Yosef Ben Matityahu (Joseph son of Matthias) in Hebrew, was a first-century Jewish historian and hagiographer who was born in Jerusalem—then part of Roman Judea—to a father of priestly descent and a mother who claimed royal ancestry. He is best known for his works The Jewish War (c. 75 AD), which provides a detailed account of the Jewish-Roman War (66–70 AD), and Antiquities of the Jews (c. 94 AD), which chronicles the history of the world from a Jewish perspective for an ostensibly Roman audience. These works provide valuable insight into first-century Judaism and the background of Early Christianity.

Life

Josephus was born into a wealthy Jerusalemite family. In his early years, he received a comprehensive education in the Jewish scriptures and in the traditions of the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes, the three major Jewish sects of his time. At the age of 16, he went to the desert to join the Essene sect. However, after three years, he returned to Jerusalem and decided to follow the Pharisees.

In 66 AD, the Jewish-Roman War broke out, and Josephus was appointed the commander of Galilee. Despite his efforts, the Jewish forces in Galilee were defeated by the Romans, and Josephus was taken prisoner. After allegedly predicting that Vespasian would become Emperor of Rome, Josephus was freed and became a Roman citizen, adopting the family name of his patrons, Flavius. He served as an advisor to Vespasian and his son Titus during the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Works

Josephus's most significant contributions are his historical works, The Jewish War and Antiquities of the Jews. The Jewish War recounts the history of the Jewish revolt against Roman rule, while Antiquities of the Jews covers the history of the world from a Jewish perspective, from the creation to the outbreak of the Jewish revolt. Josephus also wrote an autobiography, The Life of Flavius Josephus, which provides insights into his personal life and the historical context of his time, and Against Apion, a defense of the Jewish people and religion against the accusations of the Alexandrian grammarian Apion.

Legacy

Josephus's works are among the few historical accounts of first-century Judaism and the early Christian period that have survived intact. They are invaluable to historians and scholars for their detailed descriptions of Jewish society, religion, and politics, as well as for their accounts of the Jewish-Roman War. Josephus's writings have been subject to criticism, particularly regarding their accuracy and his perceived bias towards the Roman perspective. Despite these criticisms, his works remain a crucial source for understanding the period.

Criticism and Controversy

Josephus has been criticized for his portrayal of the Jewish rebellion as irrational and for his favorable depiction of Roman rule. Some scholars argue that Josephus's accounts were influenced by his Roman patrons and his desire to appeal to a Roman audience. However, others defend Josephus, noting his efforts to explain Jewish customs and laws to a non-Jewish audience and his attempts to preserve Jewish history.

See Also

• Jewish-Roman War
• Vespasian
• Titus
• Pharisees
• Sadducees
• Essenes